The second week we began the prototype testing. In the video shown below you can see a test of our shooter. Below are the finished products of the mechanical’s team elements, such as the boiler and the hopper. The electrical sub team finished the Mars Car for Maggie and had her come a make sure it was fit to her needs for the official reveal at the open house. They also created a test board and created an inventory of this years electrical components. The programming team spent this week updating the firmware on the control system components as well as working on a test climb with last years robot, Sir Twerve a’lot. The climb testes involved many loud crashes cause by the robot falling to the floor. The modeling team created a more official design of the robot and made a better foundation of the robots function.

This build season we started strong, the programming team started with the tedious task of uploading the new software in order to be able to run this years robot. Meanwhile the mechanical team was hard at work constructing the field elements and prototypes. The strategy team, well they did planning (see picture below to understand). The electrical team worked on completing the Mars Car and preparing for the reveal at the open house. The most important team at this phase would be the modeling team. They worked hard on producing a accurate model to base to robot after. Several ideas were thrown around and a design was decided and began production.

This season of First Robotics is going to be a good one. The kickoff that our team held was a great experience for the newcomers to the team, as well as a lot of fun for previous members. The game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMiNmJW7enI) this year looks like a real challenge and Mars Wars can’t wait to show other teams our skills. Before the event, we began with a game that has grown custom to the Kickoff events “Wackoo.” A game to help others learn the names and faces of their teammates. Breakfast was served by Mrs. Stoecker and we are grateful. Afterward, we sat down and began to watch the reveal video. We printed off the rule book of the game and separated into different tables, each a different section of the rule book. While one senior member stayed at each table others switched every ten minutes to help circulate ideas. We then had a fantastic lunch Supplied by the Matthews and Ms. Johnson which we thank them for very much. Now that we had full a stomach it was time to let the planning begin. We separated into tables once again, this time with a whiteboard and dry erase marker, to create a rough design for a robot. The groups worked on their unique design and then presented them to the rest of the team to allow their ideas to spread and spark new ones. With Build Season Week One in progress, there are plenty of those ideas in use. Can’t wait to get started building prototypes and getting a feel for the robot for this year’s competition First Steamworks!